Spring



Jun@ 2Q, E967 CROSBY ET AL. 3,325,5331

SPRING Filed Feb. l, 1966 inusfrad in FIGURE 2; and

United States Patent O 3,325,831 SPRING Lawton H. Crosby, Lake Bluff, and Harold M. Baum, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Morley Furniture Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 524,133 7 Claims. (Cl. 5-260) This invention, relates in general to mattresses and box springs and the like. It deals more particularly with the spring assemblies for mattresses and box springs.

In a conventional mattress spring assembly, for example, upper and lower border wires are ordinarily separated by an inter-connected matrix of hour glass coil springs which provi-de resilient support throughout the body of the mattress in a well known manner. As would be expected, this resilient support is greatest toward the center of the mattress spring assembly. The spring assembly is weakest at the edge of the mattress.

Inadequate resilient support and, accordingly, eventual sagging around the edge of a mattress is conventionally counteracted by the use of edge spring assemblies of one type or another. A number of such edge spring assemblies are presently in use in the industry, but none is completely satisfactory in providing superior resilient edge support, long service life, and low cost.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved spring assembly for a mattress or box spring or the like having superior resilient edge support.

It is another object to provide a new and improved edge spring arrangement for a mattress or box spring assembly or the like.

It is still another object to provide a new and improved edge spring arrangement which is simpler and considerably less expensive than broadly similar arrangements presently known.

It is yet another object to provide an edge spring arrangement which achieves substantially more effective resilient support around the edges of a mattress or box spring or the like over a longer service life.

The foregoing and other objects are realized in accord with the present invention by providing an edge spring arrangement including a plurality of segments of sinuous spring extending between and connected to the upper and lower border means of a mattress or :box spring or the like Each segment of sinuous spring is arcuate over its main central section so that the segment provides resilient support by bowing resistance to forces tending to collapse the spring assembly at its edges. Upper and lower sections of the sinuous spring segments are angularly offset from the arc of the bowed central section to enhance the spring support of the edge spring arrangement without kmaterially diminishing desirable resiliency.

The invention, both as to its organiaztion and method of operation, taken with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a mattress, with parts broken away, illustrating the spring arrangement and edge spring assembly embodying features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of an individual I edge spring;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational View ofthe edge spring FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of a Ibox spring arrangement illustrating a second form of edge spring assembly embodying features of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to FIG- URE 1, a portion of a mattress spring embodying features of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10. The spring 10 includes an upper :border wire 11 and a lower border wire 12 interconnected by a plurality of hour glass coil springs 13 in a well known manner. The hour glass coil springs 13 around the periphery of the spring 10 are connected in the manner illustrated to the upper and lower border wires 11 and 12 by upper and lower helical attach ment wires 17 and 18, respectively, while other helical attachment wires 17a and 18a interconnect individual coils at their upper and lower extremities throughout the body of the spring 10.

Providing superior resilient edge support to the spring 10 is an edge support spring arrangement 20 embodying features of one form of the present invention. The edge support spring arrangement 20 comprises a Series of individual edge springs 21 formed of short segments of sinuous wire spring shaped according to the present invention and connected at their upper and lower ends to the upper and lower border wires 11 and 12 by the attachment wires 17 and 18, respectively.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, each edge support spring 21 comprises a series of generally linear, parallel wire segments 25 interconnected by a series of generally semicircular wire segments 26, all in a well known manner. The linear segments 25 and semicircular segments 26 making up each edge support spring 21 are divided into three sections; a central section 30, an upper section 31, and a lower section 32.

The central section 30 of each spring 21 is bowed inwardly in an arc, as illustrated, and comprises the major portion of the spring 21. The upper section 31 thereof, in turn, comprises only the uppermost linear segment 25a, the second uppermost linear segment 25b, and the uppermost semicircular segment 26a, all bent about the axis of the second uppermost linear segment 25!) to form an angle of approximately 25 with the continuing arc of the central section 30 of the spring 21.

The lower section 32 of the spring 21 is identical to the upper section 31. It is formed of the lowermost linear segment 25m, the second lowermost linear segment 25n, and the lowermost semicircular segment 26ml, all bent about the axis of the second lowest linear segment 2511 to an angle of approximately 25 degrees from the continuing arc of the curved central section 30 of the spring 21.

The radius of curvature of the central section 30y of the spring 21 is approximately six inches in the present illustration, and by virtue of the 25 degree bend from the continuing arc of the central section 30, the upper section 31 and lower section 32 of the spring are disposed in a substantially vertical plane, as illustrated in FIGURE 2. In other words, the sections 31 and 32 are bent away from the arc of the central section 30' at a pointV where a 25 degree bend places them in the same substantially vertical plane. It will be understood, of course, that this relationship is merely an optimum one and might be varied somewhat within the scope of the invention.

In each of the edge springs 21 the uppermost linear segment 25a and the lowermost linear segment 25m are connected to the upper border wire 11 and the lower border wire 12, respectively, by the helical attachment wires 17 and 18. In this light, the attachment wires helically encircle the corresponding border wires 11 and 12 and, at the same time, helically encircle each respective linear segment 25a and 25m of successive edge springs 21. The

generally linear parallel wire linear segments 25a and 25m are provided with end curls 35 which curve inwardly toward the central section 3i) or the spring 21, as illustrated in FIG. 2, toy prevent the end linear segments from slipping out of their respective attachment wires 17 and 18.

In a standard mattress spring assembly, for example, the edge springs 21 are preferably spaced at approximately 12 inch intervals around the entire periphery of the spring. Consequently, when a person sits on the edge of the spring, as is often done-for various and sundry reasons, the edge springs 21 provide necessary resilient support at the edge of the mattress spring.

Each edge spring 21 bows in its central section 30 about the axis of the arc as compression is applied in the plane of the upper section 31 and lower section 32 of the spring 21. These generally vertical planar sections 31 and 32 provide the requisite stiffness to the edge spring 21. The result is a highly advantageous edge rmness with excellent resiliency.

Turning now to FIGURE 4, a portion of a box spring embodying features of another form of the present invention is illustrated generally at 110i. The box spring 110 includes an upper border wire 111, a lower wood frame 112 (only partially shown), and a plurality of hour glass coil springs (not shown) disposed between and connected to the frame 112 and the border wire 111.

An edge support spring arrangement 120 provides superior resilient edge support to the spring 11) according to the present invention, The edge support spring arrangement 120 comprises a series of individual sinuous wire edge spring 121 shaped according to the present invention and connected at their upper and lower ends to the upper border wire 111 and the lower wood frame 112 by the 'attachment wires 117 and the staples 135, respectively.V

Each edge support spring 121 comprises a series of segments 125 interconnected by a series of generally semi-circular wire segments 126 in a well known manner. The linear segments 125 and semicircular segments 126 making up each edge support spring 121 are divided into three sections; a central section 130, an upper section 131 and a lower section 132.

The central section 130 of each spring 121 is formed into an arc, as illustrated, and comprises the bulk of the spring 121. The upper section 131 once again comprises only the uppermost linear segment 125e, the second uppermost segment 125b, and the uppermost semicircular segment 12651, all bent about the axis of the second uppermost linear segment 125b to` form an angle of approximately 25 degrees with the continuing arc of the central section 130y of the spring 121.

The lower section 132 of the spring 121 is arranged distinctively different than the corresponding lower section 32 of the spring 10 hereinbefore discussed, however. The lower section 132 is formed of the lowermost linear segment 125m, the second lowermost linear segment 12511, and the lowermost semicircular segment 126m, all bent about the axis of the second lowermost segment 12511 to form an exterior angle of approximately 115 degrees from the continuing arc of the central section 130 of the spring 121.

By virtue of its 25 degree bend from the arc of the central section 13() of the spring 121, the upper section 131 is disposed in a substantially vertical plane, as illustrated. On the other hand, the lower section 132, by virtue of its bend of approximately 115 degrees from a continuing arc of the central section 130', is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane so that it rests ush on the wood frame 112.

In each of the edge support springs 121, the uppermost linear segment 125a is connected to the upper border wire 111 by the helical attachment wire 117. The attachment wire 117 helically encircles the border wire 111 and, at thesame time, encircles each linear segment 125g of successive edge springs 121.

The second lowest linear segment 125/z, the lowest linear segment m, and the lowest semicircular segment 126m seat iiush against the upper surface of the frame 112. Ordinary wood staples 135, hereinbefore described, are thrust into the wood frame over these segments of the wire spring 125 at its lower section 132 to secure the spring 121 to the wood frame.

In the case of the linear segments 125s, they are provided with end curls (not shown) which curve inwardly toward the central section of the spring 121. Accordingly, the end linear segments 12511 cannot slip out of the attachment wire 117.

The spacing of the edge springs 121 around a standard box spring 110 is substantially the same as utilized with a standard bed spring 10 hereinbefore described, approximately l2 inches. The spring assembly 121 thus resiliently resists pressure applied to the box spring around its periphery and, accordingly, provides the necessary resilient support at the springs periphery. The result is a highly advantageous edge firmness with resiliency.

While several embodiments described herein arey at present considered to be preferred, it is understood that various modification and improvements may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modications and improvements as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a spring assembly for a mattress or a box spring or the like, including upper border means and lower border means interconnected by spring means, the improvement in an edge spring for connecting the upper and lower border means to provide resilient, yet firm support at the edge of the spring assembly, comprising: a sinuous wire spring having a series of generally linear segments interconnected by a series of generally semicircular segments, said spring being generally vertically disposed in operative relationship and including a major central section bowed in an arc about a horizontal-axis and an upper section bent from the arc of said -bowed central section into a generally vertical plane, said spring adapted to be connected to said lower border means at its lower end and to said upper border means atthe free end of said upper section.

2. The improvement in edge spring of claim 1 further characterized in that said major central section is bowed in an arc inwardly of the spring assembly in operative relationship.

3. The improvement in edge spring of claim 1 further characterized in that said sinuous wire spring includes a lower section bent from the arc of said bowed central section into a generally vertical plane, said spring adapted to be connected to said lower border means -at the free end of its lower section.

4. The improvement in edge spring of claim 1 further characterized in that said sinuous wire spring includes a lower section bent from the arc of said bowed cent-ral section into a generally horizontal plane, said spring adapted to be connected to said lower border means by said generally horizontal section seated on said lower border means.

5. A spring assembly, comprising: an upper border wire and lower border means interconnected by spring means, an edge spring extending between and connected to said border wire and said border means, said edge spring including a sinuous wire spring having `a series of generally linear segments interconnected by a series of generally semi-circular segments, said spring being generally vertically disposed in operative relationship and including a major central section bowed in an arc about a horizontal axis and an upper section bent from the arc of said bowed central section into a lgenerally vertical plane, the uppermost linear segment of the upper edge section being connected to said upper border wire by a helical connecting spring.

6. The improvement in spring assembly of claim 5 further characterized in that said sinuous wire spring includes a lower section ybent from the arc of said bowed lower section into a generally vertical plane, the lowermost linear segment of said edge spring being connected to said lower border means by a helical connecting spring.

7. The spring assembly of claim 5 further characterized in that said lower border means comprises a frame member having a generally horizontal upper surface, said sinuous wire spring including a lower section bent from the arc of said bowed central section into a generally horizontal plane, said generally horizontal section being seated on the horizontal surface of said frame member and secured thereto.

CASMIR A.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gleason 5-260 Bank 5-255 X Wise 5-260 X Drews 5-261 X Rothbauer 5-255 Costello 5-260 NUNBERG, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A SPRING ASSEMBLY FOR A MATTRESS OR A BOX SPRING OR THE LIKE, INCLUDING UPPER BORDER MEANS AND LOWER BORDER MEANS INTERCONNECTED BY SPRING MEANS, THE IMPROVEMENT IN AN EDGE SPRING FOR CONNECTING THE UPPER AND LOWER BORDER MEANS TO PROVIDE RESILIENT, YET FIRM SUPPORT AT THE EDGE OF THE SPRING ASSEMBLY, COMPRISING: A SINUOUS WIRE SPRING HAVING A SERIES OF GENERALLY LINEAR SEGMENTS INTERCONNECTED BY A SERIES OF GENERALLY SEMICIRCULAR SEGMENTS, SAID SPRING BEING GENERALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED IN OPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP AND INCLUDING A MAJOR CENTRAL SECTION BOWED IN AN ARC ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS AND AN UPPER SECTION BENT FROM THE ARC OF SAID BOWED CENTRAL SECTION INTO A GENERALLY VERTICAL PLANE, SAID SPRING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO SAID LOWER BORDER MEANS AT ITS LOWER END AND TO SAID UPPER BORDER MEANS AT THE FREE END OF SAID UPPER SECTION. 